Issue 42 summer 24 web - Flipbook - Page 122
Statement on the
killing of Super Tusker
elephants in Tanzania
IFAW is deeply concerned about the recent killing of two
‘Super Tusker’ elephants in the transboundary landscape
of Northern Tanzania, bordering Kenya. At a time when
elephants are facing increasing threats from climate
change, habitat loss and demand for their ivory, conservation interventions should be geared towards protecting
the endangered species-not killing them. Trophy hunting
is legal in Tanzania but illegal in Kenya. Elephants form
part of this trans-boundary population and share one
ecosystem. Decisions on trophy hunting in this area must
consider the voices of stakeholders from both countries.
The transboundary landscape is a conservation jewel that
is home to the world famous Amboseli National Park - a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve
(places recognized for their significant conservation value
and potential to drive sustainable development). A
unique and scenic park, Amboseli is known for three
things: majestic herds of elephants, breathtaking views of
Mt Kilimanjaro in neighboring Tanzania, and big tuskers.
With less than 30 Super Tuskers left today, these huge elephants are becoming a rare sighting. The bulls, active
males in their reproductive prime, are critically important
for breeding and spreading vital genetic diversity to their
offspring. Killing Super Tuskers threatens the genetic integrity of populations, jeopardising their future existence.
The killing of super tuskers cannot be ethically justified
and the delusion that older elephant bulls no longer contribute to the gene pool in a population is not factual. Big
tuskers also play a crucial social role within their herds,
helping to keep unruly young males in check, thereby
controlling their aggression.
Finally, elephants are critical to Kenya’s wildlife tourism
portfolio, a cornerstone for the nation’s economy. In 2022
alone, tourism grossed over USD $1.8 billion, creating
employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods to
local communities.
Decision making on the hunting of wildlife, especially
along the Kenya-Tanzania border should be grounded in
science, data, and a clear understanding of the level of
threat facing species - not just in legality. Together with
other conservation partners, IFAW urges the Government of Kenya and Tanzania to engage in consultative bilateral dialogue to formally reinstate the moratorium,
which agrees on a temporary suspension of hunting along
the border of Kenya and Tanzania and has been respected
by Tanzania since 1995 until last year.
The Amboseli-Kilimanjaro conservation area represents
an important elephant cluster, central to the success of
IFAW’s transformative Room to Roam initiative—a bold
agenda to secure and connect key habitats and create safe
passages for elephants and other wild animals to move
freely through their ranges in Eastern Africa.
